Greater Bandicoot Rats and Rabies Transmission
Greater bandicoot rats do not transmit rabies to humans and postexposure prophylaxis is not indicated following bites from these rodents.
Risk Assessment for Rodent-Related Rabies
The evidence is unequivocal regarding rats and rabies transmission:
Small rodents, including all rat species (which encompasses greater bandicoot rats), are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been documented to transmit rabies to humans. 1, 2
From 1990-1996 in areas of the United States where raccoon rabies was endemic, rats were not significantly represented in rabies surveillance data among rodents. Woodchucks accounted for 93% of the 371 rodent rabies cases reported to CDC during this period, while rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and chipmunks remained essentially rabies-free. 1, 2
This pattern holds true regardless of geographic location, as the biological characteristics of rats make them extremely poor hosts for rabies virus transmission. 2
Management Algorithm for Greater Bandicoot Rat Bites
When a patient presents after a greater bandicoot rat bite, follow this approach:
Immediate Wound Care (Required for ALL bites)
- Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. 2
- Apply a virucidal agent such as povidone-iodine solution to the wound. 2
Assess for Non-Rabies Complications
- Evaluate the need for tetanus prophylaxis based on the patient's vaccination history. 2
- Consider antibiotic prophylaxis for bacterial infection, particularly rat bite fever (Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus), which is the primary infectious concern with rat bites—not rabies. 2
Rabies Prophylaxis Decision
- Do not initiate rabies postexposure prophylaxis for greater bandicoot rat bites. 1, 2
- Consultation with local or state health departments is recommended before initiating any rabies prophylaxis in rodent bite cases, though the recommendation will virtually always be against prophylaxis. 1, 2
Important Caveats
When to Reconsider (Extremely Rare Scenarios)
- If the rat exhibited highly unusual behavior that might suggest neurological disease from another cause, consultation with public health authorities is warranted, though rabies remains extraordinarily unlikely even in these circumstances. 2
Geographic Considerations
- This guidance applies universally across all geographic locations, including areas with endemic wildlife rabies, as rats do not serve as rabies vectors regardless of regional rabies epidemiology. 2
True Rabies Risk Animals to Consider
If the exposure involved a different animal species, rabies prophylaxis considerations would differ dramatically:
- Wild terrestrial carnivores (raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes) are the primary rabies vectors and require immediate postexposure prophylaxis unless the animal tests negative. 1
- Bats are increasingly recognized as important rabies reservoirs and any direct contact warrants prophylaxis consideration. 1
- Dogs remain the major rabies vector globally, particularly in developing countries where canine rabies accounts for most human exposures. 3, 4, 5